Recovering from Eyelid Surgery

Recovering After Eyelid Surgery

The Post-Op

Recovering from your eyelid surgery procedure

Plan on needing a ride home after your eyelid surgery. Give the recovery nurse the cell phone number of the person driving you in case the nurses need to contact your driver. Also share the number of the surgery facility with the person driving you in case they get delayed or lost.

Once your eyelid surgery is over, your plastic surgeon or the nurses will usually lubricate your eyes with an ointment designed to keep them most an to aid in healing. They may also apply bandages to your eyes, to protect the incision sites. After your anesthetic wears off, you may feel a tightness around your eyelids and your eyelids may feel sore. This is not unusual. However, if you experience severe pain, you should call your plastic surgeon right away.

Your plastic surgeon may prescribe a medicine that you are to take for post-operative pain. Get this prescription filled prior to surgery. You don't want to have to make a trip to the drugstore once you have your stitces in! The pain prescription should control any discomfort you might have. A word of caution: Read the warning information that accompanies your pain medication so that you know what to avoid and also what symptoms constitute an allergic reaction to the pain medicine. If you have an allergic reaction to your pain medication, your plastic surgeon can prescribe something different.

Typical eyelid surgery post-op instructions

You will probably receive a list of instructions to follow after your eyelid surgery. Study this list and inquire about any instructions you don't fully understand. FaceForum has compiled a list of general post eyelid surgery instructions based on information from our visitors. This list is a general list meant for illustration only. Don't treat it as a substitute for the one you receive from your plastic surgeon. As always, advice from your plastic surgeon gets top priority!

Keep your head elevated - You will probably be told to keep your head elevated for several days after your eyelid surgery. You may also be told to keep your head elevated, using extra pillows, when you are sleeping.

Use cold compresses - Your plastic surgeon may recommend that you use cold compresses or ice packs around your eyes. This is to reduce swelling, bruising and soreness.

Clean your eyes - You'll be told how to clean your eyes to remove the build-up around them without hurting your stitches. (The crusty, gummy build-up is normal.)

Use your eye drops - Many eyelid surgery patients are prescribed eye drops to help keep their eyes moist and free of infection. As your eyelids heal, they will probably itch and feel dry.

Blurriness, excessive tears & sensitivity to light - Temporary changes to your vision are not abnormal after eyelid surgery. You shouldn't be concerned if you are producing more tears than normal.

Most people find that the bruising around their eyes reaches its peak during the first week after their eyelid surgery. If you are the type of person normally prone to excessive bruising, you may find that the bruises linger for month or even slightly longer. If you are less prone to bruising, expect the bruises to be improving quite a bit within approximately two weeks.

Post eyelid surgery follow up appointments with your plastic surgeon

Your plastic surgeon will monitor your progress very closely. In the first week or two after your eyelid surgery, you will probably have one or more follow up appointments with your plastic surgeon. This will allow your plastic surgeon to asses your progress first-hand.

During one of the appointments, your stitches will be removed. Once your stitches have been removed, you should begin to feel much better. You'll look better, too.